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Originally posted by Tha Gunslinga:
Postal rates for mailing a single toploader in a bubble mailer overseas are like $2.50. You guys are doing it wrong. Just ask your post office to run it as a flat envelope.

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Originally posted by majicman:
I can only get the shipping cheap is if I shipped in a PWE with a toploader. Then and only then can it be less than $2.5. Otherwise, it typically goes at a much higher value because it is in a bubble mailer. I use 000 bubblemailers. Also, almost always the post office clerk will ask you if it has value and if so, customs form.

Perhaps the USPS folks in WI are a little relaxed on the rules. In CALI, it seems they always charge more and I can't even get the online tool to give me a break.

If you could guide us to saving everyone money, that would be great.

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Originally posted by AGO:
This is actually only for documents. The postal worker is suppose to ask if it doesn't contain documents. BAM! Customs Form and $7 shipping to Canada.

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Never had any trouble. As long as it's flat and relatively flexible, we're cool. I have had success at multiple POs with multiple postal workers.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tha Gunslinga:
Never had any trouble. As long as it's flat and relatively flexible, we're cool. I have had success at multiple POs with multiple postal workers.

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Originally posted by hilikuS:
I can't do it at the PO either. I bought these cardboard envelopes that are easily thin enough and relatively flexible, but they'll say it's too rigid and ask me to send it as a parcel.

However, if I just like... put enough postage for a rigid envelope and throw it in the mailbox, it has worked every time. It's like below $2 for up to a dozen cards.

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This is what I've taken to doing, just sticking an extra stamp on the envelope and tossing it in the mail. They'll usually take it anyway, but it doesn't matter how many times the guy tells me it may not go, he always seems to feels it's one time too few. Nevermind that I worked in the shipping/postal industry for 3 years, or that I've shipped hundreds and hundreds of cards just exactly the same way.

As to international shipping, I only do Canada for various reasons, but have experienced much the same as you all. At this point I just stick the cards in a toploader and a security envelope and fire them off with an international stamp, no value declared. This works for me however as my trades are mostly below $20 in value.

The other issue, aside from the high potential cost of shipping, is that I don't want my recipient being charged a ****-ton either. So, I just declare the value as $5-10 tops. It's at my own risk, but damn, do they charge a ton!

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Originally posted by caquaa:
ymmv. I've had it go both ways. If I lie, I can get it cheap almost every time. If I tell them it has value, its rigid, etc, then its a parcel. Depending on the quality of your bubble mailer, even with only 1 toploader, it may be too thick to fit through that little slot they slide it through as well. I've had them not fit and the postal worker just shrug and look like he didn't feel like doing paper work... and I've had the exact opposite where they slide me a form and have me fill it out. It really feels like a crap shoot.

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I have never "lied." I just ask if they can run it as a flat envelope.

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Originally posted by Tha Gunslinga:
I have never "lied." I just ask if they can run it as a flat envelope.

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Originally posted by JoshSherman:
I just 4-0'd my FNM with RW burn. I'm usually 2-2, maybe 3-1, so this is a fairly big accomplishment. Yay!

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edit:

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Originally posted by Timmyhill:
So anyone have any thoughts on the TCG Player Direct?

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I like it. Hopefully it works out well.

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Originally posted by JesusChristMD:
If ebay's global shipping program is any indication of this whole "mail to us then we mail to them" I am very worried.

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How so? Limits the shenanigans that occur on both sides of the deal, since this is essentially doing a sale with a 3rd party involved. I think TCG and ebay both did the math and saw that whatever costs they incur from this program will be less than the costs of the current behemoth of seller/buyer dispute resolution.

Not to mention this particular program eliminates a LOT of the most common scams.

I deal with them almost daily and it's insane how bad it is.

Mis-labeling, literally sending WRONG items, items with wrong tracking numbers from ebay, items just plain going missing- plus if you issue a refund for something ebay doesn't give them the global shipping refund.

The company I work for does most of its sales on ebay and let me assure you...it's quite awful.

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Originally posted by JesusChristMD:
You clearly don't have much experience with it.

I deal with them almost daily and it's insane how bad it is.

Mis-labeling, literally sending WRONG items, items with wrong tracking numbers from ebay, items just plain going missing- plus if you issue a refund for something ebay doesn't give them the global shipping refund.

The company I work for does most of its sales on ebay and let me assure you...it's quite awful.

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Originally posted by pugowar:
Anyone else notice Strickland always finishes messages with "Thx" seems like someone should have caught on to that by now.

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Originally posted by Volcanon:
Also it means that now some US sellers are asking for seven bucks shipping instead of the usual 2-3.

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Creatures: Anathemancer, Burning-Tree Shaman, Dark Confidant, Fulminator Mage, Kitchen Finks, Olivia Voldaren, Tarmogoyf, Thrun
Spells: Abrupt Decay, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Helix, Blightning, Inquisition of Kozilek, Maelstrom Pulse, Thoughtseize
Other Permanents: Liliana OTV

It's not very traditional, but that's how i like it. I just want help making it more cohesive, and making a proper manabase.
Any random suggestions? I am seriously considering voice of resurgence, scavenging ooze, and loxodon smiter as well.
http://classic.magictraders.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/035407.html

quote:

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Originally posted by rats60:
Probably because it now costs 6.55 to send international not the 2.00 it used to.

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Still costs under $2.50 if you do it right.

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Originally posted by Tha Gunslinga:
Still costs under $2.50 if you do it right.

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Originally posted by Sovarius:
Trying to make a fun midrange deck for modern, but at least good enough to hold down a game or something.
Using a wide variety of cards, including some fringe or sub par selections i just enjoy. I kind of want it to be rogueish and make question what they are seeing here.

Creatures: Anathemancer, Burning-Tree Shaman, Dark Confidant, Fulminator Mage, Kitchen Finks, Olivia Voldaren, Tarmogoyf, Thrun
Spells: Abrupt Decay, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Helix, Blightning, Inquisition of Kozilek, Maelstrom Pulse, Thoughtseize
Other Permanents: Liliana OTV

It's not very traditional, but that's how i like it. I just want help making it more cohesive, and making a proper manabase.
Any random suggestions? I am seriously considering voice of resurgence, scavenging ooze, and loxodon smiter as well.
http://classic.magictraders.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/035407.html

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quote:

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Originally posted by wayne:

Wouldn't it be easier to start with an established Jund list?

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How do you mean?